Dune 3: The Genius Plan for a Trilogy of Films

The Narrative of Dune 3

Spoilers are ahead for the end of Frank Herbert's Dune novel and, likely, Dune: Part Two. With fans wondering if Frank Herbert's other novels will make the jump to the big screen, director Denis Villeneuve's genius Dune 3 plan sounds like it will make the potential third movie even better. Recently, Dune 3 got an encouraging update from Villeneuve, with the filmmaker revealing that Dune: Part Three's script is almost finished. For some time, fans of Herbert's series of books have believed that an adaptation of Dune Messiah, the sequel to the original novel, would satisfyingly conclude Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) chosen-one arc. Evidently, Villeneuve agrees, noting that turning Dune into a trilogy of films would make narrative sense. However, there is a catch. Although Dune: Part Two is set to hit theaters in 2024, Villeneuve has hinted at the possibility of taking a break before returning to Herbert's beloved franchise for the planned third installment. While that means Dune fans will have some more waiting to do, a pause might be for the best. One of the advantages the 2000 Dune miniseries has over Villeneuve's films is its sequel series, which faithfully adapts Herbert's second and third books. In bringing Dune Messiah into the fold, the miniseries chronicled Paul's rise and fall, just as Herbert intended. That said, Dune 3 happening at all is a welcome turn of events. Dune: Part One made a whopping $402 million at the box office.

Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides under hood in Dune: Part Two

Dune 3 Happening After A Break Better Fits The Books While waiting out a break between the second and third films may be challenging for Dune viewers, a gap between the two installments actually fits in better with Frank Herbert's books. At the end of the first novel (and, theoretically, Dune: Part Two), Paul assumes his role as Dune's Kwisatz Haderach, a messiah with clairvoyance across time and space. As the prophesied leader of the Fremen people, Paul leads Arrakis' indigenous group in an all-out war against the joint forces of House Harkonnen and Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. With the aid of giant sandworms and Dune's weirdest book character, Alia, the Fremen defeat the Harkonnen and Sardaukar troops. A planned trilogy of Dune films may mean changes are in store for Dune: Part Two's plot. Afterward, Paul confronts the Emperor, demanding he abdicate the throne. Eventually, the Emperor relents, and Paul becomes Emperor of the known universe. While he's achieved what he set out to do, victory comes at a price. In fulfilling his destiny, Paul has unleashed an unstoppable Fremen force. Empowered by their belief in the messiah, the Fremen start a bloody universe-wide conquest. Dune Messiah, which chronicles the pitfalls of Paul's chosen-one story, picks up roughly 12 years later. Needless to say, a break between Dune: Part Two and Dune: Part Three though maybe not a decade-long gap would fit well with Herbert's vision.

Zendaya as Chani in battle in Dune: Part 2

Why Dune 3 Is Almost Certain To Happen (& Be A Success) With Dune: Part One making a solid $402 million against its $165 million budget, the likelihood of the franchise becoming a trilogy is high, especially since Dune 2 is set to be even bigger (and better). In regard to telling a complete story one that shows the ugly side of Paul's destiny Dune 3 is more important than Part Two. A break between the second and third films not only fits with the source material's timeline, but it could be good for ensuring its actors come back after working on other projects. With Denis Villeneuve very openly keen on making Dune 3, it now seems very likely.